AL SCIE

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UNDATI O Journal of Applied and Natural Science 6 (2): 825 - 843 (2014)
PLI

ANSF
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2008

Human health risk assessment of temporal and spatial variations of ground

water quality at a densely industrialized commercial complex at Haridwar,
India
Tushar Arora*, Anand Mishra, Gagan Matta, A. K. Chopra, Ajendra Kumar1, D. R.
Khanna and Vinod Kumar
Department of Zoology and Environmental Science, Gurukula Kangri University, Haridwar-249404 (Uttarakhand),
INDIA
1
Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Gurukula Kangri University, Haridwar-249404 (Uttarakhand), INDIA
*Corresponding author. E-mail: tushararora09@rediffmail.com
Received: July 05, 2014 Revised received: October 05, 2014 Accepted: December 16, 2014

Abstract: The observations of present investigation revealed that the groundwater regime at State Infrastructure
and Industrial Development Corporation of Uttarakhand Limited (SIDCUL) Industrial Estate (IE) was highly
responsive to the anthropogenic stress of recharge and discharge parameters concerning the distressing industrial
activities. The present study on groundwater characteristics of SIDCUL-IE, Haridwar in year 2013-2014 showed that
the water of Sampling station-D (SSD) had relatively poor quality in comparison to the groundwater collected from
Sampling station-A (SSA), Sampling station-B (SSB) and Sampling station-C (SSC). The samples had a high
mineral load with relatively wider pH range. The physico-chemical parameters like pH (6.35 in October) at SSA, TDS
(553.5 mg/l in November) at SSC, TH (600.0 mg/l in July) at SSB and alkalinity (525.0 mg/l in October) at SSD were
beyond the prescribed limits of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The Karl Pearson correlation matrix showed
moderate to significantly positive correlation between various parameters like COD-phosphorus (r=0.629),
temperature-DO (r=-0.477) at SSA; pH and bicarbonate (r=0.668) at SSB; pH-temperature (r=-0.551),turbidity-BOD
(r=0.467), BOD-phosphorus (r=0.518), bicarbonate-acidity (r=-0.833) at SSC and TSS-turbidity (r=0.616), BOD-COD
(r=0.6771) at SSD and temperature-DO (r=-0.666), hardness-acidity (r=-0.6542) BOD-COD (r=0.654) at control site.
The overall quality of groundwater, though hard, was found acceptable for drinking purpose. The divergence in the
results of groundwater samples taken from SIDCUL-IE and the Control site, 2 km away from SIDCUL-IE, indicated
that groundwater pollution is increasing alarmingly which may have serious threats to human health in near future.
Keywords: Groundwater quality, Human health-risk, Industrial effluents, Physico-chemical parameters, SIDCUL,
Spatial, Temporal.

INTRODUCTION being contaminated by the discharge of poor quality

effluents from the industrial establishments (Singh
The significance of pure drinking water is much
2001; Pujari and Deshpande 2005; Mondal et al.,
understood and needs least to be explained. Pure water
2005; Singh et al., 2006; Naik et al., 2007; Ullah et al.,
is a limited, precious and renewable natural resource
2009; Aulakh et al., 2009; Patel et al., 2010; Nubi and
which cannot be produced synthetically. Rapid
Ajuonu 2011; Brindha and Elango 2012; Bhadra et al.,
increase in population has exerted a continuous thrust
2013; Bingbing et al., 2014 and Brindha et al., 2014).
on this limited natural resource (Watson and Davies
The aquatic systems in the close proximity of industries
2009). Simultaneously, the constantly increasing
serve as the principal means for the disposal of wastes,
industrialization and ever expanding urbanization have
especially the liquid discharges. These wastes can alter
considerably increased the rate of groundwater
the physical, chemical and biological nature of the
pollution. The pollution of groundwater resource due
receiving water body that usually has an ultimate characteristic
to devastating industrial activities has threatened the
correlation with the subsequent aquifer (Ntuli et al.,
existence of human beings including other organisms
2011).
that rely on freshwater resources for their survival. The
Groundwater is often considered as a reliable source of
crises are more severe in developing countries like
fresh water which is easily accessible near to the point
India, having higher rate of increase in population and
of consumption. It is generally believed that
industrialization (Subbarao et al., 1998 and Rao et al.,
groundwater is purer and safer than surface water due
2001). Underground water resource, which is the
to protective earth crust shield (Saravi et al., 2013). At
major drinking water source in India, is frequently
ISSN : 0974-9411 (Print), 2231-5209 (Online) All Rights Reserved © Applied and Natural Science Foundation www.ansfoundation.org
 Tushar Arora et al. / J. Appl. & Nat. Sci. 6 (2): 825 - 843 (2014)
the same time, the economic upgradation has resulted
in severe impacts on groundwater characteristics. The
indiscriminate disposal of industrial effluents and
leachates from landfills had caused considerable
decline in the groundwater quality (Rajkumar et al.,
2012). Numerous methodologies have been raised to
approximate groundwater vulnerability and pollution
threats over varying hydrogeological conditions
(Al-Adamat et al., 2003). But still, a worldwide
approach for the assessment of probable risks has not
been forwarded yet.
The natural circumstances that affect the groundwater
system include climatic parameters like temperature,
rainfall, evapo-transpiration etc., whereas
anthropogenic actions include excessive groundwater
pumping and percolation of contaminated fluids due to
offensive management of industrial effluents and
irrigation systems (Kumar 2012). Groundwater
pollution caused due to these contaminated recharges
results in irreversible damages to soil, cropping system
and entire biological realm. Consequently,
contaminated drinking water is the major source for
the spread of epidemic and chronic diseases in the
native population. Risks may change over time,
particularly when pollutants tend to accumulate. Their
prolonged exposures probably result in skin ailments,
typhoid, jaundice, dysentery, diarrhea, tuberculosis etc.
(Patel et al., 2010).
Groundwater quality monitoring is a fundamental
element of any effort to integrate groundwater science
with water-management decisions. Monitoring
provides the necessary data that aids in
water-governance (Alley 2007). The State Infrastructure
and Industrial Development Corporation of
Uttarakhand Limited Industrial Estate (SIDCUL-IE)
was established in year 2006 in Haridwar district of
Uttarakhand state in northern India. The expansion of
industrial establishments in SIDCUL-IE is being
continuing since last seven to eight years. Since the
commissioning of industrial complex, a number of
processing and production industries have been
established including apparel, agro food, cosmetics,
plastic, pharma-products, electric and electronic
products, packaging, synthetic fabrics, electroplating,
commercial automotives etc. In context to the newly
established industrial estate, no major study
concerning the assessment of impacts of industrial
wastes particularly effluents on groundwater has been
carried out till date.
In the recent past, many researchers have carried out
different studies concerning the impact of different
industrial and developmental activities on groundwater
quality like Leung and Jiao (2006) in Mid-levels area,
Hong Kong; Dimitriou et al., (2008) at Athens,
Greece; Karunakaran et al., (2009) at Namakkal, India;
Bhaskar et al., (2010) at Tumkur, India; Rajappa
(2010), Hakinaka Taluk, Davangere, India; Nubi and
Ajuonu (2011), at Oyo state, Nigeria; Fazila et al.,
826
(2012), at Beed City, India; Ramesh et al., (2012),
Bangalore, India; Bhadra et al., (2013), Pali City, India;
Sekhon and Singh (2013) at Patiala, India and
Venkateswarlu (2014) at Hyderabad, India etc. But
there are no reports available regarding the characteristic
dynamics of groundwater quality resulting from of
distressing industrial activities at SIDCUL-IE, Haridwar.
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has
forwarded the concept of Comprehensive Environmental
Pollution Index (CEPI) for Industrial Clusters in India,
which intend as an early warning tool for pollution
potential of any industrial realm. This index captured
various health dimensions of environment including
air, water and land. The district Haridwar ranks 73rd
(among 88 major industrialized districts) in India in
terms of pollution potential of its industrial cluster with
CEPI score of 61.01. The districts with CEPI range of
60-70 were considered as severely polluted areas.
Further, CPCB recommends a periodic surveillance for
designing and implementation of pollution abatement
measures in Haridwar. Keeping above in view, the
present study was conducted with the objective to
monitor temporal and spatial dynamics in groundwater
quality and its potential health risks ensuing industrial
distress of untreated effluent discharge at SIDCUL
Industrial Estate at Haridwar, India.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study area: SIDCUL-IE is a densely industrialized
complex in district Haridwar with major industrial
set-ups (Fig.1). Geographically, the industrial area is
located within latitude 29094' in the north to longitude
78016' in the east with an elevation of 370 m above
mean sea level. The complex has a vast expanse of
about 823.13 hectares with more than seven hundred
independent industrial units in operation. SIDCUL-IE
serves as a transition zone between two major geological
formations viz; the hard rock relief (Shivalik ranges)
and the alluvial terrains (with a steep gradient). On the
basis of regime, the quality of ground water in both
these reliefs would be strictly different. Consequently,
there is high probability of natural variation in
groundwater characteristics at SIDCUL-IE.
Simultaneously, the groundwater system is susceptible to
multiple factors, therefore a holistic approach integrating
climate, temperature, hydrogeology and geochemistry
needs to be considered while studying the different
processes responsible for the contamination of the
groundwater resources along with the anthropocene.
Climate and temperature: The district Haridwar
experiences moderate subtropical to humid climate
with three different seasons viz. summer followed by
rainy and winter season. Temperature begins to rise in
March (29.10C) and reaches to its maximum in May
(39.20C). With the beginning of monsoon season by
mid of June, the temperature begins to fall. During the
winter season, in the month of November to February,
the temperature ranges between 10.50C and 6.10C
827 Tushar Arora et al. / J. Appl. & Nat. Sci. 6 (2): 825 - 843 (2014)
Fig.1. Showing groundwater sampling sites at SIDCUL-IE
(CGWB 2009).
Hydrogeology and rainfall: The alluvium is chief
water bearing strata in the region consisting of coarse
sand, fine sand and silt. Groundwater in Haridwar
district occurs under unconfined, confined and
semi-confined conditions. The aquifers are separated
with thick clay with considerable thickness, which act
as confining layers. The water level studies conducted
by Central Ground Water Board, India, suggests the
presence of multilayer aquifer system. Generally, the
ground water abstraction structures in the district are
shallow and deep tube-wells with depth ranging from
60 to 150 meters below ground level. The SIDCUL-IE
region along the foothills of Shivalik range consists of
boulders, gravels, sand and clay, which characterize
high permeability and porosity. This feature makes it a
fine recharge zone through the direct infiltration of
precipitation. The average annual rainfall in the district
is 1174.3 mm, of which 84% is received during
monsoon and 16% occurs during non-monsoon period.
Rainfall is the chief source that sustains the groundwater
in Haridwar (CGWB 2009).
Sampling procedure: In view of a large study area,
the SIDCUL-IE was divided into four sampling
stations (SS), named as Sampling Station-A (SSA),
Sampling Station-B (SSB) Sampling Station-C (SSC)
and Sampling Station-D (SSD). Grab samples of
groundwater were taken from the bore-wells within the
industries and hand-pumps (India Mark-II) installed
for public use. On the basis of availability, two
sampling sites were identified in each sampling station
for the sampling of groundwater. Thus eight
groundwater samples were collected for
physico-chemical characterization. Two control
samples of groundwater were taken from Shivalik
 Tushar Arora et al. / J. Appl. & Nat. Sci. 6 (2): 825 - 843 (2014)
Nagar (Residential area), situated at the distance of
about 2 kilometers from SIDCUL-IE. Monthly
sampling was carried out from February 2013 to January
2014 (between 9.00 am to 12.00 pm). The eight
sampling locations within the study area are demarcated
in figure 1. The groundwater samples were collected
from taps and hand-pumps after flushing water for
5–10 min. The samples were collected in 2.5 liter
capacity high density polyethene (HDPE) bottles that
were pre-washed (rinsed 4-5 times with distilled water)
and dried before use. All the samples were immediately
transported to the laboratory and were stored at 40C till
analysis. During the sampling procedure, the
precautions were taken as per the standard guidelines
of APHA (2012) to avoid possibility of any
contamination.
Analytical procedure: The pH and total dissolved
solids (TDS) in groundwater samples were determined
using microprocessor based digital water and soil
analysis kit (ESICO, Model-1160). Temperature was
recorded using digital thermometer (Maxtech, multi
thermometer). Turbidity was measured in Nephelometric
turbidity unit (NTU) using turbidity meter (ESICO,
Model-335). Other parameters like, dissolved oxygen
(DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total
hardness (TH), chemical oxygen demand (COD),
bicarbonates (HCO32-), acidity and alkalinity were
calculated by titrimetric analysis whereas the total
solids (TS) and total suspended solids (TSS) were
analyzed by gravimetric analysis. Potassium (K) was
determined using microprocessor based flame
photometer (ESICO, Model-1382) while phosphorus
(P) was estimated by UV-Vis spectrophotometer
(Agilent, Model- Cary 60). The analysis of the above
mentioned parameters was done in triplicate following
the standard methods of APHA (2012).
Statistical Analysis: The observed data subjected to
statistical analysis for the mean, standard deviation
(SD) and Karl Pearson Correlation matrix for the
characteristic correlations of different physic
-chemical parameters was calculated using MS Excel
2007.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The mean±SD values of various parameters of
groundwater samples and the Control samples
investigated in this study during February 2013 to
January 2014 are given in Table 1 to 5. The correlation
matrix of different parameters of various sampling
stations and the control is shown in Tables 6 to 10.
Health risk assessment was accomplished by comparing
the observed groundwater quality data with drinking
water standards and regulations laid down by the
regulatory bodies and health agencies. The health
impacts were predicted on the basis of the earlier studies
concerning the same aspect.
pH: The pH of a solution is defined as the logarithm to
the base 10 of the reciprocal of the (H+) ion concentration
828
(Barrett et al., 2010). The pH is greatly influenced by
the temperature of water. In the present study, the pH
of groundwater samples was observed to be quite
acidic (6.35) at sampling station A (SSA) in the month
of October whereas the pH was relatively alkaline
(8.17) at sampling station B (SSB) in the month of
March. In control groundwater samples, the pH range
was observed between within the prescribed limits i.e.
7.23 in July to 8.1 in the month of May. These
observations are similar to the range values (6.4-8.5)
determined by Rameeza et al., (2012) in a study of
ground water quality in industrial zone of Visakhapatnam.
Though, pH generally does not have a direct effect on
consumers yet it is a crucial operational water quality
parameter. The maintenance of an even hydrogen ion
(H+) concentration in body fluids is necessary for
survival. In healthy individuals, plasma pH is slightly
alkaline and maintained in the narrow range of 7.35 to
7.45 (Barrett et al., 2010). The consumption of drink-
ing water with lower pH (below 4) may possibly cause
irritation in eyes, skin, and mucous membranes while
exposure to extreme lower pH values (approximately
2.5) may lead to irreversible and extensive damage to
epithelium (WHO 1986). The pH range of 10-12.5 has
been reported to cause swelling in hairs whereas higher
pH values (above 11) may have similar symptoms
mentioned above for lower pH values (below 4). On
the other hand, gastrointestinal irritation may also
occur in susceptible (new born and elderly) individuals
(WHO 2003). Beside health perspectives, pH can
affect the degree of corrosion of metals (pipes in
distribution systems) as well as disinfection efficiency
which may have an indirect effect on human health as
well as on the treatment systems.
Temperature: The temperature of water is the vital
parameter that affects the chemistry of water thereby
causing variation in pH, turbidity, alkalinity, hardness
and dissolved carbon dioxide (CO2). Temperature also
has a great effect on biological system as it influences
the metabolic activities of an organism. An increase in
the temperature of water proportionally increases the
rate of biochemical reactions. In this study, the groundwater
samples with lowest temperature (22.90C) were observed
at SSC in the month of December whereas the highest
temperature (31.40C) of water samples was recorded at
SSB in May. The temperature of control samples
ranged from 24.80C in February to 29.9 0C in the
month of May. The observed values of temperature are
similar to the observations (22-31 0 C) of
Karunakaran et al., (2009), who studied the physic
-chemical characteristics of groundwater at Namakkal,
India. Although, the drinking water temperature does
not bear a direct relationship with human health, but in
terms to palatability, a limit of ≤ 15°C has been
ascertained. The activation energy of most chemical
reactions is associated up to this temperature range
(Health Canada 1995). The rise in temperature
increases the vapour pressure of trace volatile organics
829 Tushar Arora et al. / J. Appl. & Nat. Sci. 6 (2): 825 - 843 (2014)
in drinking water which may result in increased odor
(APHA 2012). The growth of disease causing
microbes is also enhanced by warm water. Legionella
pneumophila is extensively found in water
environments which can multiply at temperature above
25°C. This waterborne pathogen was responsible for
legionellosis, with two clinical identified forms:
Legionnaires’ disease (pneumonic illness) and Pontiac
fever (WHO 2011).
TS, TSS, TDS: The solids indicate the presence of
various minerals in water. Total solids constitute
suspended and dissolved solids as well. TSS are the
solids which are retained by a glass fiber filter and
dried to a constant weight at 103-1050C whereas, TDS
refers to the dissolved inorganic salts and traces of
organic matter in water as a solution. The key constituents
of TDS include dissolved calcium, magnesium, sodium
(Na+) and K+ cations and carbonate, hydrogen carbonate,
chloride, sulfate, and nitrate anions (WHO 2007).
Naturally, most of the dissolved constituents in
groundwater are due water-rock interactions occurring
within a lithological outline. Aesthetically, an objective of
≤500 mg/L has been established for TDS in drinking
water. At higher concentration, water may become
excessively hard, non-palatable, while corrosion may
also occur in plumbing networks as a consequence of
mineral deposition (Health Canada, 1991).
In the present study, the minimum values of TS (170
mg/l), TSS (23.5 mg/l) and TDS (85.5 mg/l) were
observed at SSC and SSB in April; and SSD in
October, while the maximum values of TS (1000.0 mg/l),
TSS (694.0 mg/l) and TDS (553.5 mg/l) were
recorded at SSD, SSD and SSC in the month of
November respectively. The solids in the control
samples of groundwater ranged as, TS from 280.80
mg/l in May to 1000.74 mg/l in November, TDS from
220.0 mg/l in October to 538.0 mg/l in January and
TSS from 8.0 mg/l in October to 517.32 mg/l in
November. The recorded values of TDS and TSS were
extremely higher as compared to the observations of
Uhegbu et al. (2012) for TDS (3.65- 72.35 mg/l) and
TSS (2.95-15 mg/l) in assessment of groundwater
quality at Aba Metropolis, Nigeria. In different
epidemiologic studies, it has been reported that moderately
high TDS level (below 1,000 mg/L) protected consumers
against cancer and heart disease (Schroeder 1960;
Burton and Cornhill 1977; Craun and McCabe 1975
and Monarca et al., 2006), but the mechanism(s)
underlying these observations are not completely
understood. While the constituents of TDS, markedly
Mg hinders with the formation of thrombi in
arteriosclerosis (Sauvant and Pepin 2002 and Monarca
et al., 2006). Although, World health organization
(WHO) has not proposed any health-based guideline
values for TDS in drinking water but the presence of
dissolved solids may affect its taste. The palatability of
drinking water in relation to its TDS content can be
classified as: excellent, i.e. less than 300 mg/litre;
good, between 300 and 600 mg/litre; fair, between 600
and 900 mg/litre; poor, between 900 and 1200
mg/litre; and unacceptable, greater than 1200 mg/liter
(WHO 2003).
Turbidity: Turbidity is measure of the transparency in
water. Turbidity in groundwater is caused due to the
presence of inorganic particulate matter as suspension.
These materials may be clay, silt, organic matter, salts
and some microscopic organisms (Momba et al.,
2006). Turbidity does not have any direct effect to
human health rather; the particulates responsible for
turbidity can protect microorganisms from the effects
of disinfection and can also stimulate bacterial growth.
The water with a turbidity of less than 5 NTU is generally
acceptable to consumers but this may vary with
specific conditions (WHO 2008). In this study, the
turbidity in the groundwater samples was observed to
be nil at many sampling sites almost all the time while
maximum turbidity (5.7 NTU) was recorded at SSD in
the month of November. In control samples, the values
of turbidity ranged from 0 to 1.0 NTU. Turbidity was
found within the prescribed limits in all the water
samples. The observed results were quite higher
(0.5-0.79 NTU) than the observations of Abbulu and Rao
(2013) in assessment of physico-chemical characteristics
of groundwater in the industrial zone of Visakhapatnam,
India. Turbidity is a crucial indicator of groundwater
quality variations, particularly under the influence of
percolation from surface. The aquifers experience
rapid changes in terms of water quality, during the
recharge periods (Martin et al., 2008). Consequently,
this may be also applicable for the seepage of
industrial effluents from the industrial complex drainage
system which possibly alters the turbidity of ground-
water at SIDCUL-IE. Some recent health studies
investigating the outbreak of drinking water turbidity
showed a potential association of turbidity with
gastro-intestinal illness (Mann et al., 2007).
DO: DO concentration has a considerable impact upon
ground water quality. It regulates the valance state of
trace metals and restricts bacterial metabolism of
dissolved organic matter (Rose and Long 1988). The
presence of sufficient oxygen in drinking water
supplies is necessary, as it aids the formation of protective
layer inside metal pipes in public distribution system.
This needs an optimum DO concentration of 6-8 mg/L
(Lenntech 2014a). DO in the groundwater samples was
observed to be minimum (3.0 mg/l) in August at SSC,
simultaneously the maximum value (8.35 mg/l) of DO
was recorded at the same sampling station in the
month of January. In the control samples of ground-
water, the minimum value of DO (5.6 mg/l) was
recorded in the month of April and May, whilst maxi-
mum value of DO (7.0 mg/l) was observed in the
month of March. Similar DO range (5.6-7.1) in
groundwater samples was observed by Rameeza et al.
(2012) in an industrial area at Visakhapatnam, India.
Ahmed et al. (2010) also observed nearly same range
Table 1. Physico-chemical characteristics of groundwater at sampling station-A (SSA) at SIDCUL-IE, Haridwar during the year 2013-2014 (Mean ± SD).

Parameter Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan BIS
7.71 ± 7.69 ± 7.45 ± 7.62 ± 8.05 ± 7.16 ± 7.4 ± 7.34 ± 6.35 ± 7.54 ± 7.32 ± 7.25 ± 6.5 –
pH
0.55 0.32 0.43 0.64 0.40 0.79 0.10 0.04 0.53 0.62 0.51 0.49 8.5
24.55 ± 24.8 ± 25.5 ± 27.9 ± 29.3 ± 29.9 ± 29 ± 28.9 ± 27.6 ± 26.6 ± 24.7 ± 25.65 ±
Temp ----
0.35 0.99 2.18 1.13 0 0.28 0.14 0.04 2.12 0.71 0.14 2.05
510 ± 420 ± 470 ± 360 ± 430.5 ± 322.5 ± 394 ± 390 ± 657.5 ± 800 ± 650 ± 500 ±
TS ----
42.42 28.18 14.11 13.14 37.17 31.82 8.48 40.43 48.4 67.54 53.6 41.4
146 ± 64.5 ± 131 ± 46 ± 69 ± 31.5 ± 51.5 ± 53 ± 380.5 ± 388 ± 262.5 ± 116.5 ±
TSS ----
13.53 0.70 5.65 3.76 3.84 4.09 7.57 5.45 37.54 41.89 29.5 12.04
364 ± 355.5 ± 339 ± 387.5 ± 362 ± 291 ± 342.5 ± 337.0± 277.5 ± 412.0± 387.5 ± 383.5 ±
TDS 500
31.11 27.58 19.8 27.58 31.7 12.73 19.09 25.46 18.9 6.30 28.69 34.45
0.45± 0.95 ±
Turbidity 1.0 ±0 1.0 ±0 Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil 5
0.03 0.07
6.8 ± 6.5 ± 6.15 ± 5.75 ± 6.1 ± 6.5 ± 5.65 ± 5.75 ± 6.55 ± 6.8 ± 6.1 ± 7.0 ±
DO ----
0.28 0.70 0.35 0.354 0.14 0.28 0.49 0.37 0.63 0.28 0.70 0.42
1.7 ± 1± 1.05 ± 1.3 ± 1.8 ± 1.0 ± 0.4 ± 0.42 ± 1.25 ± 2.6 ± 3± 1.2 ±
BOD ----
0 0 0.6 0.08 0.3 0.4 0.1 0 0.21 0 0.12 0.06
7.0 ± 5.5 ± 9.5 ± 14 ± 1± 3.35 ± 2.2 ± 3.15 ± 3.0 ± 2.1 ± 5.1 ± 7.0 ±
COD ----
0.41 0.12 0.71 0.49 0.41 0.34 0.28 0.25 0.41 0.4 0.56 0.41
332.15 ± 320.25 ± 201.3 ± 350.75 ± 292.8 ± 256.2 ± 222.65 227 ± 231.8± 253.15 45.75 ± 109.8 ±
HCO32- ----
26.50 24.7 17.25 24.7 24.87 0 ± 20.19 19.59 12.15 ± 11.95 4.79 5.28
460 ± 380 ± 500 ± 260 ± 280 ± 460 ± 300 ± 302.5± 500 ± 440 ± 400 ± 400 ±
Hardness 300
28.28 28.28 10.20 21.28 19.21 28.28 28.28 38.89 28.34 36.57 0 21.87
50 ± 38.75 ± 62.5 ± 68.75 ± 38.75 ± 68.75 ± 43.75 ± 37 ± 193.75 ± 360.0 ± 17.5 ± 58.75 ±
Acidity ----
2.28 2.37 4.75 6.52 1.77 8.84 21.52 1.80 15.11 18.86 1.60 5.30
Tushar Arora et al. / J. Appl. & Nat. Sci. 6 (2): 825 - 843 (2014)

350 ± 322.5 ± 350 ± 400 ± 475 ± 425 ± 425 ± 365 ± 500 ± 500 ± 500.0 ± 485 ±
Alkalinity 200
7.71 31.82 12.54 23.67 35.36 17.8 35.16 16.1 24.87 0 20.10 25.46
0.85 ± 0.66 ± 0.26 ± 0.77 ± 1.36 ± 0.93 ± 0.375 ± 0.425± 1.17 ± 1.06 ± 1.05 ± 0.42 ±
K ----
0.04 0 0.07 0.06 0.14 0 0.05 0.023 0.09 0.04 0.01 0.09
0.15 ± 0.1 ± 0.2 ± 0.1 ± 0.1 ± 0.05 ±
P BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL ----
0.071 0.01 0.041 0.01 0 0

All parameters are expressed in mg/l except pH, temperature (0C) and turbidity (NTU); BDL= below detection limits, BIS-Bureau of Indian Standards
830
Table 2. Physico-chemical characteristics of groundwater at Sampling Station-B (SSB) at SIDCUL-IE, Haridwar during the year 2013-2014 (Mean ± SD). 831

Parameter Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan BIS
7.95 ± 8.17 ± 8.0 ± 8.15 ± 7.81 ± 7.1 ± 7.69 ± 7.65 ± 6.85± 7.65± 7.39± 7.35± 6.5 –
pH
0.05 0.14 0.14 0.08 0.03 0.18 0.33 0.36 0.12 0.21 0.13 0.07 8.5
24.8± 24.5± 23.1± 31.4± 29.35± 29.55± 30.1± 29.95± 29.1± 26.15± 24.9± 27.6±
Temp ----
0.70 1.39 1.21 0.28 0.07 1.34 0.14 0.35 0.14 0.07 1.27 0
429.0± 520.0± 270.0± 417.5.0± 469.0± 423.0± 398.0± 424.5.0± 319.0± 800.0± 565.0± 450.±
TS ----
15.56 43.98 28.99 24.75 26.87 32.53 40.71 418.7 15.30 84.8 47.78 50.71
31± 136± 23.5± 32.5± 31± 79± 34± 45± 89± 532.5± 231.5± 92.5±
TSS ----
1.21 8.71 2.07 0.35 1.21 5.28 0.21 0.21 1.21 60.84 30.0 14.64
397 ± 384 ± 246.5 ± 385 ± 438 ± 344 ± 364 ± 379.5 ± 230± 349.5± 358.5± 357.±
TDS 500
15.56 21.41 16.05 17.71 29.83 12.88 27.98 21.52 14.14 35.96 43.13 36.06
0.6±
Turbidity 1±0 1±0 Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil 5
0.04
6.8 ± 6.8 ± 6.45 ± 6.25 ± 6.35 ± 6.7 ± 5.85 ± 6.05 ± 6.3± 6.8± 5.25± 5.6±
DO ----
0 0.71 0.07 0.35 0.21 0.28 0.21 0.21 0 0.28 0.77 0.98
1.9 ± 1.5 ± 1.65 ± 1.2 ± 1.8 ± 3.3 ± 1.65 ± 1.65 ± 1.55± 2.85± 1.1±
BOD 1±0 ----
0 0.01 0.25 0.12 0.08 0.41 0.01 0.06 0.78 0.31 0.26
6.1 ± 6.5 ± 9.1 ± 7.0 ± 3.6 ± 9.2 ± 3.9 ± 4.25 ± 3± 4.5± 5.9±
COD 4±0 ----
0 0.12 0.243 0.41 0.24 0.091 0.18 0.26 0.41 0 0.79
375.15 ± 353.8 ± 231.8 ± 289.75 ± 308.05 ± 183 ± 195.2 ± 220.5 ± 192.15± 228.75± 112.85± 24.4±
HCO32- ----
12.94 25.88 16.39 21.57 14.39 17.25 11.98 15.12 4.31 16.46 8.56 0.50
560 ± 360 ± 260 ± 290 ± 600 ± 300 ± 332.5 ± 420± 400± 420± 400±
Hardness 480 ±0 300
26.57 20.0 22.28 22.43 56.57 28.18 20.80 28.28 0 28.28 0
37.75 ± 42.5 ± 57.5 ± 93.75 ± 60 ± 73.75 ± 43.75 ± 49.35 ± 23.75± 300± 11± 58.75
Acidity ----
4.61 7.07 4.61 8.84 5.21 5.30 2.83 2.40 1.30 28.28 1.73 ±5.30
Tushar Arora et al. / J. Appl. & Nat. Sci. 6 (2): 825 - 843 (2014)

375 ± 337.5 ± 375 ± 375 ± 400 ± 325 ± 450 ± 455 ± 500± 500± 500± 475±
Alkalinity 200
35.36 17.68 35.36 35.36 0 26.1 24.0 35.36 40.0 20.0 0 35.36
0.93 ± 1.12 ± 0.99 ± 1.37 ± 1.15 ± 18.9 ± 2.14 ± 0.5± 0.77± 1.05± 0.25±
K BDL ----
0.07 0.11 0.16 0.02 0.08 0.60 0.06 0.08 0.08 0 0
0.25 ± 0.2 ± 0.15 ± 0.05 ±
P BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL 0.1±0 BDL ----
0.07 0.01 0.071 0.0

All parameters are expressed in mg/l except pH, temperature (0C) and turbidity (NTU); BDL= below detection limits, BIS-Bureau of Indian Standards
Table 3. Physico-chemical characteristics of groundwater at Sampling Station-C (SSC) at SIDCUL-IE, Haridwar during the year 2013-2014 (Mean ± SD).

Parameter Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan BIS
7.88 ± 8.05 ± 7.63 ± 7.75 ± 7.67 ± 6.79 ± 7.65 ± 7.76 ± 7.27± 7.45± 7.61± 7.39± 6.5 –
pH
0.05 0.04 0.04 0.18 0.03 0.04 0.04 0.18 0.16 0.24 0.04 0.53 8.5
23.8± 24.95± 26.55± 28.95± 23.15± 31.4± 29.3± 29.8± 29.35± 26± 22.95± 27.6±
Temp ----
2.121 1.20 0.77 1.20 1.54 0.28 0.70 0.28 0.91 0.14 0.21 0.70
460± 410± 170± 500± 502.5± 445± 381.5± 370± 351.5± 800± 700± 600±
TS ----
28.28 14.14 2.42 0 37.17 7.07 14.44 22.42 13.03 65.68 41.42 54.87
49.5± 33.5± 79± 93.4± 58.1± 70± 41.6± 39.4± 146.5± 246.5± 290.5± 144.5±
TSS ----
8.99 3.36 6.66 9.89 6.88 6.36 2.69 1.11 10.54 22.39 18.14 18.89
410.5 ± 209.5 ± 91.6 ± 407 ± 439.5 ± 375 ± 340.5 ± 331.0 ± 205.0± 553.5± 409.5± 445.5±
TDS 500
21.71 14.95 4.24 9.90 7.78 13.44 24.75 11.31 7.07 37.28 41.71 24.74
0.5± 1±
Turbidity 1±0 1±0 0±0 0±0 0±0 0±0 0±0 0±0 0±0 0±0 5
0.04 0.04
6.35 ± 7.15 ± 5.7 ± 6.35 ± 6.0 ± 6.8 ± 3.43 ± 5.9 ± 5.4± 6.8± 7.1± 8.35±
DO ----
0.35 0.07 0.45 0.21 0.28 0.28 0.24 0.85 0.13 0.13 0 0.21
2.35 ± 1.55 ± 2.1 ± 1.75 ± 0.9 ± 0.95 ± 0.45 ± 1.2 ± 1.5± 1.95± 1.7± 1.65±
BOD ----
0.39 0.04 0.15 0.21 0.02 0.03 0.01 0.09 0.26 0.07 0.50 0.35
8.0 ± 5.5 ± 3.0 ± 7.0 ± 5.2 ± 13.6 ± 2.3 ± 7.2 ± 3.05± 2.25± 3.5± 6.0±
COD ----
0.41 0.17 0.41 0.24 0.07 0.97 0.42 0.78 0.48 0.06 0.40 0
427 ± 350.75± 244 ± 350.75 ± 286.7 ± 207.2 ± 164.7 ± 237.9 ± 140.3± 158.7± 103.7± 122.07±
HCO32- ----
17.25 1.57 17.25 26.07 8.62 16.97 13.13 11.76 9.45 8.48 8.62 7.4
480 ± 280 ± 440.0 ± 300 ± 280 ± 520 ± 300 ± 400 ± 274.55± 380.3± 400± 400±
Hardness 300
20.0 16.57 0 28.28 24.30 13.1 28.18 13.13 12.8 28.21 40.0 20.0
52.5 ± 47.5 ± 42.5 ± 81.25 ± 46.1 ± 63.75 ± 37.5 ± 45 ± 37.5± 193.75± 18.75± 53.75±
Acidity ----
Tushar Arora et al. / J. Appl. & Nat. Sci. 6 (2): 825 - 843 (2014)

7.07 3.54 2.20 6.5 2.6 3.4 0 2.38 17.20 17.51 1.84 2.3
375 ± 302.5 ± 375 ± 375.0 ± 425.2 ± 500 ± 450 ± 400 ± 500± 525± 500± 500±
Alkalinity 200
16.07 24.14 35.35 35.35 21.35 25.71 15.0 0 0 15.35 40.0 40.0
1.18 ± 0.68 ± 0.96 ± 1.21 ± 0.98 ± 0.53 ± 0.13 ± 1.01± 0.77± 1.14± 0.14±
K BDL ----
0.05 0 0.01 0.12 0.07 0.02 0.01 0.16 0 0.04 0
0.1 ± 0.15 ± 0.05 ± 0.15±
P 0.1 ±0 BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL ----
0.04 0.07 0.07 0.07
All parameters are expressed in mg/l except pH, temperature (0C) and turbidity (NTU); BDL= below detection limits, BIS-Bureau of Indian Standards
832
 833
Table 4. Physico-chemical characteristics of groundwater at Sampling Station-D (SSD) at SIDCUL-IE, Haridwar during the year 2013-2014 (Mean ± SD).

Parameter Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan BIS
7.86 ± 7.88 ± 7.53 ± 7.68 ± 7.59 ± 7.06 ± 7.89 ± 7.90 ± 7.55± 7.71± 7.41± 7.4± 6.5 –
pH
0.21 0.02 0.18 0.42 0.06 0.91 0.05 0.01 0.09 0.09 0.26 0.39 8.5
23.85± 27.3± 29.55± 29.95± 29.6± 29.75± 28.05± 28.6± 28.05± 26.3± 25± 27.7±
Temp ----
0.64 0.14 0.78 1.77 0.42 0.07 1.2 0.28 0.35 0.99 0.14 0.14
460± 440± 360± 465± 510± 400± 435± 404± 335.5± 1000± 707.5± 500±
TS ----
16.26 36.26 33.41 12.65 30.83 36.31 17.07 18.48 27.77 65.69 10.60 41.42
83.27± 69± 106± 72± 54.5± 102.0± 77± 26.0± 250± 694.0 ± 383.5± 394.5±
TSS ----
7.78 6.88 7.58 6.16 4.96 9.79 5.65 1.48 14.14 46.86 21.72 36.06
377.0 ± 371 ± 254 ± 393 ± 405.5 ± 298 ± 358 ± 378 ± 85.5± 306± 324± 105.5±
TDS 500
21.21 11.31 21.8 24.04 24.75 19.8 12.73 16.97 3.92 14.65 12.32 5.35
3.0± 1.5± 0.5± 5.7± 0.5±
Turbidity BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL 5
0.13 0.01 0.0 0.2 0.01
7.05 ± 5.55 ± 6.1 ± 5.9 ± 6.25 ± 5.55 ± 5.7 ± 4.7± 3.05± 6.2± 6.9±
DO 6 ±0 ----
0.21 0.64 0.14 0.11 0.07 0.64 0.71 0.12 0.19 0.85 0.56
2.55 ± 1.05 ± 1.75 ± 1.5 ± 1.6 ± 3.1 ± 2.0 ± 0.55 ± 0.9± 1.1± 2.9± 0.6±
BOD ----
0.13 0.06 0.05 0.28 0.04 0.15 0.09 0 0.04 0 0.1 6 0
7.2 ± 4.1 ± 4.9 ± 9.05 ± 2.0± 8.7 ± 5.4 ± 2.3 ± 2.65± 5.05± 3.5±
COD 6±0 ----
0.13 0.14 0.56 0.34 0 0.44 0.98 0.12 0.7 0.43 0.23
390.1 ± 463.6 ± 195.2 ± 411.75 ± 295.85 ± 164.7 ± 158.7 ± 219.6 ± 179.95± 155.85± 33.55± 247.05±
HCO32- ----
38.45 31.56 8.59 21.56 12.94 17.25 8.48 14.51 12.94 11.42 2.4 18.82
480 ± 300 ± 420 ± 240 ± 280 ± 100 ± 320 ± 295 ± 380± 400± 400± 400±
Hardness 300
0 28.28 31.65 0 56.57 7.36 0 21.21 28.28 20.0 30.0 0
Tushar Arora et al. / J. Appl. & Nat. Sci. 6 (2): 825 - 843 (2014)

42.5 ± 67.5 ± 68.75 ± 48.75 ± 53.6 ± 42.5 ± 32.5 ± 53.45 ± 21.25± 63.75± 21.25± 45±
Acidity ----
1.68 1.61 2.37 5.30 3.26 2.28 2.07 3.44 1.83 3.45 1.30 2.61
375 ± 312.5 ± 350 ± 425 ± 475 ± 350 ± 425 ± 442.5 ± 525± 500± 475± 238.75±
Alkalinity 200
16.07 13.03 20.71 35.36 35.36 14.71 35.36 10.61 35.35 0 35.35 21.61
1.26 ± 2.30 ± 0.27 ± 0.92 ± 1.29 ± 0.84 ± 0.68 ± 0.39 ± 0.24± 0.32± 1.09± 0.49±
K ----
0.08 0.13 0 0.06 0.15 0.02 0.04 0.03 0 0.04 0.06 0.02
0.2 ± 0.05 ± 0.15 ±
P BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL 0.1±0 BDL ----
0 0 0.07
All parameters are expressed in mg/l except pH, temperature (0C) and turbidity (NTU); BDL= below detection limits, BIS-Bureau of Indian Standards
Table 5. Physico-chemical characteristics of groundwater of the Control site far from SIDCUL-IE, Haridwar during the year 2013-2014 (Mean ± SD).

Parameter Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan BIS
7.44± 7.28± 7.38± 8.1± 7.5± 7.23± 7.4± 7.4± 7.81± 7.42± 7.36± 7.25± 6.5 –
pH
0.09 0.63 0.67 0.07 0.11 0.21 0.45 0.65 0.80 0.0 0.4 0.86 8.5
24.8± 27.6± 29.6± 29.9± 29.6 ± 28.2± 29.1± 29.0± 29.1± 27± 25.1± 27.2±
Temp ----
0.67 0.44 0.43 1.3 0.33 0.03 0.33 0.48 0.23 0.26 0.9 1.6
360.65± 420.76± 380.67± 280.80± 570.54± 580.7± 610.85± 590.43± 406.8± 1000.7± 600.75± 600.97±
TS ----
37.55 38.47 11.2 24.33 17.66 22.22 21.22 28.88 26.31 31.12 18.34 34.44
104± 78.6± 8.0± 29.32± 101.15± 104.8± 98.16± 70.41± 166.1± 517.32± 115.21± 62.28±
TSS ----
9.44 6.5 0.43 0.94 7.98 4.82 2.32 4.94 13.33 28.3 8.3 3.2
256.2± 342.81± 372.5± 251.89± 469.23± 476± 512.42± 520± 220± 483± 485± 538±
TDS 500
17.33 15.55 24.32 18.2 43.98 28.33 32.22 26.91 21.44 37.77 21.11 34.47
Turbidity 1±0 1±0 BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL 0.6±0 BDL BDL 5
6.9± 7.0± 5.6± 5.6± 6.2± 6.0± 6.1± 6.0± 6.1± 6.3± 6.2± 6.4±
DO ----
0.46 0.56 0.1 0.65 0.43 0.27 0.01 0 0.2 0.23 0.10 0.29
2.2± 0.4± 1.8± 1.5± 2.1± 2.4± 1.2± 1.0± 3.3± 2.4±
BOD 1±0.0 3.3±0.0 ----
0.07 0.04 0.07 0.18 0.12 0.3 0.2 0.6 0.4 0.21
7.0± 2.5± 3.5± 6.0± 2.5± 8.0± 7.5± 8.0± 2.0± 1.1± 4.1± 4.0±
COD ----
0.65 0.45 0.17 0.25 0.13 0.54 0.27 0.79 0.5 0.07 1.20 0.88
189.1± 305.76± 207.4± 305.75± 280.6± 189.1± 192.4± 210.1± 195.6± 292.8± 170.8± 213.5±
HCO32- ----
2.88 21.76 18.89 9.88 23.94 8.09 11.08 13.07 20.87 15.5 5.5 12.2
480± 305± 440± 280± 280± 360± 340± 345± 440± 360± 400± 400±
Hardness 300
0.90 0.59 0.34 0.32 0.19 0.90 0.28 0.84 110.5 98.86 105.5 76.77
30.54± 47.5± 35.42± 45.5± 87.5± 80.68± 78.42± 74.42± 15.5± 60.31± 22.5± 45.23±
Acidity ----
0.06 0.09 2.46 1.57 8.57 5.25 6.57 5.l7 0.2 2.22 1.88 2.67
Tushar Arora et al. / J. Appl. & Nat. Sci. 6 (2): 825 - 843 (2014)

250.67± 285.32± 350.34± 450.45± 500.29± 400.4± 440.52± 470.22± 550.3± 550.77± 500.84± 500.63±
Alkalinity 200
14.45 2.34 1.47 21.46 33.24 0.46 17.36 8.46 17.70 13.1 23.4 11.19
1.1± 1.34± 1.14± 0.83± 0.98± 1.1± 0.77± 1.12± 0.43±
K BDL BDL 1±0 ----
0.02 0.1 0.2 0.07 0.03 0.01 0.09 0.23 0.07
P BDL 0.1±0.0 0.2±0 0.1±0 0.2±0.0 BDL 0.1±0 BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL ----

All parameters are expressed in mg/l except pH, temperature (0C) and turbidity (NTU); BDL= below detection limits, BIS-Bureau of Indian Stand
834
Table 6. Correlation matrix (r values at significance level 0.05) of various physico-chemical parameters of groundwater at Sampling Station-A (SSA) at SIDCUL-IE, Haridwar during 835
the year 2013-2014.
pH Temp TS TSS TDS Turbidity DO BOD COD HCO32- Hardness Acidity Alkalinity K P

pH 1
Temp -0.1 1
TS -0.284 -0.45 1
TSS -0.482 -0.34 0.963 1
TDS 0.632 -0.444 0.32 0.0922 1
Turbidity 0.119 -0.509 0.453 0.4128 0.181 1
DO -0.167 -0.477 0.476 0.4397 0.079 0.578 1
BOD 0.164 -0.442 0.728 0.63 0.559 0.262 0.336 1
COD 0.134 -0.383 -0.257 -0.246 0.273 -0.11 -0.097 -0.057 1
HCO32- 0.375 0.248 -0.358 -0.3 -0.099 0.444 -0.06 -0.294 0.162 1
Hardness -0.508 -0.438 0.479 0.5592 -0.347 0.374 0.671 0.217 -0.042 -0.22 1
Acidity -0.271 0.012 0.736 0.7635 0.141 0.476 0.423 0.366 -0.254 0.106 0.374 1
Alkalinity -0.362 0.181 0.592 0.5985 0.128 -0.222 0.22 0.545 -0.401 -0.51 0.061 0.453 1
K -0.01 0.148 0.412 0.4596 -0.009 0.233 0.226 0.645 -0.375 0.16 0.061 0.346 0.5615 1
P 0.292 -0.49 -0.222 -0.241 0.082 0.152 -0.165 -0.146 0.629 0.237 0.152 -0.34 -0.798 -0.465 1

Table 7. Correlation matrix (r values at significance level 0.05) of various physico-chemical parameters of groundwater at Sampling Station-B (SSB) at SIDCUL-IE, Haridwar during
the year 2013-2014.

pH Temp TS TSS TDS Turbidity DO BOD COD HCO32- Hardness Acidity Alkalinity K P
pH 1
Temp -0.27 1
TS 0.069 -0.172 1
TSS -0.13 -0.292 0.897 1
TDS 0.458 0.229 0.409 -0.034 1
Tushar Arora et al. / J. Appl. & Nat. Sci. 6 (2): 825 - 843 (2014)

Turbidity 0.453 -0.544 0.406 0.2983 0.279 1

DO 0.303 -0.17 0.103 0.1192 -0.01 0.62 1
BOD -0.38 -0.041 -0.13 -0.16 0.02 -0.193 -0.111 1
COD 0.274 -0.264 -0.283 -0.233 -0.16 0.084 0.392 0.252 1
HCO32- 0.668 -0.127 -0.003 -0.157 0.334 0.634 0.733 -0.126 0.109 1
Hardness -0.35 -0.46 -0.111 0.0399 -0.35 0.247 0.337 0.566 0.52 -0.06 1
Acidity 0.101 -0.02 0.738 0.8007 0.053 0.226 0.409 -0.393 0.0076 0.0514 -0.05353 1
Alkalinity -0.49 0.071 0.325 0.4771 -0.24 -0.295 -0.586 -0.28 -0.756 -0.591 -0.26965 0.2018 1
K 0.044 0.338 -0.117 -0.179 0.126 -0.164 -0.258 -0.025 -0.286 -0.067 -0.33517 -0.122 0.12292 1
P 0.507 -0.77 -0.1 -0.145 0.055 0.712 0.309 0.1006 0.2947 0.5276 0.39425 -0.307 -0.40733 -0.222 1
 Tushar Arora et al. / J. Appl. & Nat. Sci. 6 (2): 825 - 843 (2014)
of DO (4.91-7.56) in groundwater samples in a study
of assessment of surface and groundwater quality at
Chittagong region of Bangladesh. The DO concentration
level does not have any direct effect on human health;
rather it may lead to leaching of toxic heavy metals in
water-supply pipes, thereby causing indirect impacts to
human health.
BOD: BOD is a quantitative indicator of the biologically
degradable organic substances in water. It is widely
used to assess strength of pollutants in aquatic systems.
The minimum value of BOD (0.4 mg/l) in groundwater
samples was observed at SSA in August, whereas the
maximum value of BOD (3.3 mg/l) was recorded at
SSB in the month of July. In control samples, the BOD
ranged from 0.4 mg/l in March to 3.3 mg/l in the
month of July. The lower BOD value in all groundwater
samples indicated good sanitary condition of the water.
The observations for BOD in the present study are
significantly lower than the BOD (2.68-10.07 mg/l)
reported by Khanam and Singh (2014) in assessment
of groundwater quality near a polluted canal area in
Kichha, district Udham Singh (U.S.) Nagar, India.
High BOD in groundwater indicates its faecal contami-
nation. Kumar et al. (2011) observed a strong positive
correlation of BOD with total coliforms (0.52) and
fecal coliforms (0.36) as well. E. coli can cause serious
diseases, such as urinary tract infections, bacteraemia,
gastroenteritis and meningitis (Ashbolt 2004 and WHO
2011). In general, higher values of BOD in drinking
water may cause serious health impacts, but the BOD
values in this study were considerably in safer limits.
COD: COD is the equivalent of oxygen required by
the organic substances in water to oxidize them by a
strong chemical oxidant. In this study, the minimum
COD in the groundwater (1.0 mg/l) was observed at
SSA in the month of June simultaneously, the
maximum value of COD (14.0 mg/l) was recorded at
same sampling station in the month of May. In control
samples, the COD varied from 1.1 mg/l in November
to 8.0 mg/l in July. The observed values were
considerably higher (3.1-3.7 mg/l) than the values
reported by Sirajudeen et al. (2014) in a study of
groundwater contamination carried out at Tirunelveli,
India. Higher COD in groundwater indicates the
presence of non-biodegradable dissolved organic
carbon (DOC). The high incidence of DOC causes
undesirable color, taste and odor in drinking water
(Sagehashi et al., 2005). It also interferes with the
disinfection process and results in toxic disinfection
by-products (DBPs) such as trihalomethanes (THMs)
and haloacetic acids (HAAs) (White et al. 2003; Wong
et al., 2007; Chow et al., 2008; Ratasuk et al., 2008;
Krasner 2009; Matilainen et al., 2010 and 2011). DPBs
have been reported to pose harmful effects on human
health (Hanson and Solomon 2004; Zhou et al., 2006;
Jung and Son 2008 and Wu et al., 2009). These byproducts
had also been identified as a potential fetotoxin,
mutagen and carcinogen as well (Ruddick et al., 1983;
836
Reckhow et al., 1990 and Bryant et al., 1992).
Bicarbonates: Bicarbonates are the standard alkaline
constituents found in almost all ground waters that
affect alkalinity and hardness of water. Naturally, the
rock-weathering process adds bicarbonates in groundwater
but the concentration of bicarbonates in water relies on
pH and is usually observed to be less than 500 mg/l in
groundwater. Any standard for permissible limit of
bicarbonate concentration in drinking water is not
recommended by WHO, while it is considered to be
not more than 500 mg/l. In this study, the minimum
concentration of bicarbonates (33.55 mg/l) in groundwater
was observed at SSD in the month of December at the
same time the maximum concentration of bicarbonates
(463.6 mg/l) was observed at same sampling station in
the month of March. In control samples, the bicarbonates
ranged from 170.8 mg/l in December to 305.75 mg/l in
the month of March. Ramesh and Seethe (2013) also
reported similar results for the highest limit of bicarbonates
(207.4-488 mg/l) in groundwater samples from a tannery
industrial complex Vellore, India. Prabha et al. (2013)
also reported nearly similar values for the maximum
concentration (159-471 mg/l) of bicarbonates in
groundwater at an industrial area in Tirupur India.
Bicarbonate ingestion causes changes in acid-base
balance, blood pH and bicarbonate concentration in
biological fluids. Coen et al. (2001) suggested that
consumption of bicarbonate-rich water lowers the risk
of calculus formation in urine. In contrast, Lutai (1992)
reported higher incidence of goiter, hypertension,
ischemic heart disease, gastric and duodenal
ulcers, chronic gastritis, cholecystitis and nephritis due
to consumption of mineral deficient water.
Total hardness: Hardness refers to the sum of
concentration of polyvalent cations dissolved in the
water. Calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+) are the
most common polyvalent cations that are frequently
present in groundwater. Ferrous (Fe2+) and manganese
(Mn2+) ions also contribute to groundwater hardness
(Jain and Jain 1990). The hardness in groundwater
water is generally due to the interaction of subsurface
water with the soil media and rock formations. The
concentration range for pleasant taste due to the
calcium ion depending on the associated anion is
100-300 mg/L, but higher concentrations are also
acceptable to consumers. Hardness values above 500
mg/L are usually aesthetically non-agreeable
(Zoeteman 1980). In the present study, the hardness in
groundwater samples was observed to be minimum
(100 mg/l) at SSD in July, while the maximum value
of hardness (600.0 mg/l) was recorded at SSB in the
month of July. Hardness in the control samples varied
between 280.0 mg/l in June to 480.0 mg/l in the month
of February, whereas the permissible limit of hardness
for drinking water is 300 mg/l. However, it is
important to note that total hardness in groundwater
was higher at all sampling sites all the time. Reddy et al.
(2013) also reported relatively higher (302-752 mg/l)
837 Tushar Arora et al. / J. Appl. & Nat. Sci. 6 (2): 825 - 843 (2014)
values of hardness in groundwater samples of an
industrial belt at Visakhapatnam, India.
There does not appear any influential study in the past,
correlating the drinking water hardness with adverse
health effects in humans. Rather, drinking water
calcium plays a key role in a number of physiological
functions like suppression of neuromuscular excitability,
myocardial function, heart and muscle contractility,
intracellular information transmission and blood
coagulation (Kozisek, 2005). Consequently, the
outcome of numerous cohort studies recommended
that water hardness may protect against many diseases
particularly against cardiovascular diseases (Yang et
al., 1996), cerebrovascular diseases (Yang et al.,
1998), cancer of esophagus (Yang et al., 1999c), cancer
of pancreas (Yang et al., 1999d), cancer of rectum
(Yang et al. 1999e) and breast cancer (Yang et al.,
2000). Drinking water calcium has also proven to be
statistically significant in reducing the risk for pre-term
birth and low birth weight (Yang et al., 2002). In contrast,
Miyake et al. (2004a) suggested that the higher values
of hardness can be a risk factor for childhood atopic
eczema.
Acidity: Dissolved CO2 is the main factor responsible
for acidity in unpolluted waters. CO2 on reaction with
water results in the formation of carbonic acid which
imparts acidic nature to water. Simultaneously,
industrial effluents have a considerable potential to
alter the chemistry of groundwater and make it more
susceptible to acidification (Carr and Neary 2008). In
unsaturated zone, various organic processes like
nitrification, base-cation uptake by vegetation, organic
acid production in decaying vegetation and oxidation
of reduced forms of sulphur influence the groundwater
composition, thereby increasing the acidity of percolating
water (Reuss et al., 1987). In this study, the minimum
value of acidity (11 mg/l) in groundwater samples was
observed at SSB in December whereas the maximum
value (360 mg/l) was recorded at SSA in the month of
November. The acidity in the control samples varied
from 15.5 mg/l in October to 87.5 mg/l in the month of
June. The values of acidity in this study were
significantly higher (16.65-63.10 mg/l) than the values
reported by Uhegbu et al. (2012) in characterization of
groundwater in Aba Metropolis, Nigeria. Elevated
acidity levels in groundwater may also mobilize
various trace elements e.g., Cd, Mn, Fe, As, and Hg
from soils (Meybeck et al., 1989), thereby making
groundwater reserves highly toxic.
Alkalinity: Alkalinity is the potential of water to
neutralize a strong acid. The natural sources of alkalinity
in groundwater are the geogenic alkalis like CO32-,
HCO3- and OH- salts of Ca, Mg, K, and Na. Usually,
natural water has alkalinity ranging from 10 to 500
mg/L. This feature is important while determining the
suitability of water for irrigation purposes. In this
study, the minimum value of alkalinity (302.5 mg/l) in
groundwater was observed at SSC in March whereas
alkalinity was maximum (525.0 mg/l) at SSD in the
month of October. Alkalinity in control samples of
groundwater ranged between 250.67 mg/l in February
and 550.77 mg/l in October. Yadav et al. (2012)
reported relatively lower values for alkalinity
(160-610) in ground water of Bhiwadi industrial area
at Alwar, India. The interaction of vadose water with
soil and bedrock results in ion-exchange process that
reduces groundwater acidity (Dahmke et al., 1986 and
Moss and Edmunds 1992). Water with low alkalinity
may be corrosive and can irritate the eyes. In contrast,
higher alkalinity in water causes soda-like taste and
can dry out the skin due to basic pH. Excessive
alkalinity also causes scaling in plumbing and
distribution systems thereby reducing their water
supply efficiency.
Potassium: The K occurs naturally in most of the
minerals. It gets dissolved in soil solution through
weathering phenomenon. This dissolved phase serves
as a main source of groundwater K through downward
seepage (Lenntech 2014b). In present study, the K was
observed to be minimum (0.13 mg/l) at SSC in
September, whereas the maximum value (2.30 mg/l)
was recorded at SSD in the month of March. The K in
control samples was below the detection level in
March and April whereas it ranged up to the maximum
value of 1.34 mg/l in the month of May. The present
observations were extremely lower (6-102 mg/l) than
that reported by Gadhave et al. (2008) in groundwater
of an industrial area at Shrirampur, India. K is a vital
trace element in living organism including humans. In
reference to physiology, vital role of K includes its
function in nerve stimulus, muscle contraction, blood
pressure regulation and protein dissolution. Higher K
levels in drinking water could be a major concern for
human health but there are no reports illustrating any
harmful impact of the same. Thus, any health-based
guideline value for K in drinking water is not
established yet. Still, K may cause some health
consequences in susceptible individuals (individuals
with renal and cardiovascular diseases) resulting from
K intake from drinking water that is well below the
level at which adverse health effects may occur.
Infants also have a limited renal reserve and immature
kidney function and may therefore be more vulnerable
(WHO 2009).
Phosphorus: Generally, phosphates (PO4) are the
most common form of phosphorus (P) that frequently
occurs in natural water (APHA 2012). P in groundwater
may be due to various natural factors like leaching
from rocks and soil media and runoff from fertilizer
applications. Soils have a small capacity to retain P
and once the ability of soil to absorb more P exceeds,
the excess gets dissolved in soil solution and ultimately
gets percolated to the aquifer (Domagalski
and Johnson, 2012). This factor is a significant source
of P contamination in groundwater. In this study, the
concentration of P was nil at almost all sampling sites
Table 8. Correlation matrix (r values at significance level 0.05) of various physico-chemical parameters of groundwater at Sampling Station-C (SSC) at SIDCUL-IE, Haridwar during
the year 2013-2014.
pH Temp TS TSS TDS Turbidity DO BOD COD HCO32- Hardness Acidity Alkalinity K P
pH 1
Temp -0.551 1
TS -0.111 -0.35 1
TSS -0.263 -0.288 0.731 1
TDS -0.142 -0.18 0.868 0.399 1
Turbidity 0.331 -0.361 0.254 -0.063 0.178 1
DO -0.106 -0.285 0.491 0.374 0.301 0.532 1
BOD 0.269 -0.419 0.147 0.338 -0.04 0.467 0.507 1
COD -0.385 0.3582 -0.09 -0.395 0.15 0.075 0.344 -0.11 1
HCO32- 0.573 -0.244 -0.31 -0.639 -0.112 0.322 0.013 0.296 0.358 1
Hardness -0.401 0.0976 0.021 0.064 0.116 0.122 0.321 0.327 0.56 0.004 1
Acidity -0.152 0.037 0.561 0.35 0.54 0.183 0.202 0.273 -0.102 -0.036 0.064 1
Alkalinity -0.765 0.2137 0.542 0.68 0.479 -0.242 0.089 -0.19 -0.087 -0.833 0.191 0.2856 1
K -0.084 -0.356 0.387 0.213 0.385 -0.075 0.032 -0.01 0.186 0.231 -0.136 0.0397 0.1459 1
P 0.455 -0.542 -0.22 0.112 -0.457 0.129 0.15 0.518 -0.167 0.196 0.311 -0.378 -0.428 -0.123 1

Table 9. Correlation matrix (r values at significance level 0.05) of various physico-chemical parameters of groundwater at Sampling Station-C (SSC) at SIDCUL-IE, Haridwar during
the year 2013-2014.

pH Temp TS TSS TDS Turbidity DO BOD COD HCO32- Hardness Acidity Alkalinity K P
pH 1
Temp -0.28 1
TS 0.019 -0.453 1
TSS -0.22 -0.416 0.834 1
TDS 0.452 -0.03 0.134 -0.43 1
Tushar Arora et al. / J. Appl. & Nat. Sci. 6 (2): 825 - 843 (2014)

Turbidity 0.296 -0.546 0.723 0.616 0.097 1

DO -0.04 -0.044 -0.55 -0.577 0.121 -0.542 1
BOD -0.42 -0.229 0.021 -0.151 0.322 -0.097 0.233 1
COD -0.27 -0.065 0.061 -0.067 0.285 0.086 0.064 0.677 1
HCO32- 0.456 0.0715 -0.31 -0.475 0.345 0.104 0.281 -0.27 0.099 1
Hardness 0.371 -0.682 0.264 0.401 -0.28 0.425 0.087 -0.189 -0.297 -0.076 1
Acidity 0.262 0.2761 0.122 -0.068 0.319 0.405 -0.149 -0.351 -0.106 0.4706 -0.050 1
Alkalinity 0.176 -0.07 0.337 0.203 0.158 0.105 -0.537 0.028 -0.166 -0.382 0.052 -0.349 1
K 0.225 -0.224 -0.07 -0.358 0.531 0.001 0.281 0.224 0.127 0.6119 -0.177 0.182 -0.269 1
P 0.172 -0.603 -0.09 -0.154 0.168 0.253 0.444 0.447 0.265 0.184 0.595 0.047 -0.196 0.22 1
838
839
Table 10. Correlation matrix (r values at significance level 0.05) of various physico-chemical parameters of groundwater at Sampling Station-C (SSC) at SIDCUL-IE, Haridwar during Tushar Arora et al. / J. Appl. & Nat. Sci. 6 (2): 825 - 843 (2014)

over and over again while the maximum value of P

P

1
(0.26 mg/l) was observed at SSD in the month of
February. Similarly, the values for P were nil at control

-0.284
sites all the time while the highest concentration for
K

1
control samples was recorded 0.2 mg/l in April.
Relatively higher concentration of P at control sites
pretend to be of geogenic origin. These values were
Alkalinity

-0.217
0.409
significantly higher (0.01-0.09 mg/l) than the values

1
reported by Khanam and Singh (2014) in groundwater
samples at U. S. Nagar, India. Biologically, the PO4
are one of the basic components of DNA materials that
Acidity

have a vital role in energy distribution process. Excess

0.098
0.094
0.254
1
of PO4 may cause health problems such as kidney
damage and osteoporosis. Hyperphosphatemia is a late
-stage chronic kidney disease that may be caused due to
Hardness

-0.6542
-0.1947
-0.1299
-0.3892
elevated levels of PO4 in blood, thereby resulting in the
1

increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in

effected individuals (Lee and Marks 2014).This
disease is often caused due to excess of PO4 (as food
additives) in food but there is no literature suggesting
HCO32-

-0.708

-0.136
0.239
0.026

0.391

any water-borne disease resulting due to high P

1

concentration in drinking water.

Correlation among physico-chemical parameters at
different sampling stations of SIDCUL-IE: Karl
0.0008
0.3429

0.3256
-0.455

-0.338

-0.219
COD

Pearson Correlation matrix calculated at significant

1

level (0.05) for the water quality parameters is shown

in Tables 6 to Table 10. Various parameters showed
0.654

0.349
0.011
0.024
0.248
BOD

-0.78

-0.45

moderate to significant positive correlation with one

1

another. The parameters like TS-TSS (r=0.963), TSS

-turbidity (r=0.412) at SSA (Table 6), TS-turbidity
-0.237
-0.174

-0.128
-0.423
-0.212
-0.296

(r=0.406) at SSB (Table 7) and TSS-turbidity

0.094
0.149
DO

(r=0.616) at SSD (Table 8) were significantly and

positively inter-related with each other which may be
due to the presence of higher percentage of suspended
Turbidity

-0.42015
-0.18137

-0.19464
-0.62214
-0.28492
-0.14656
0.82295

0.32672
0.14344

particulate matter. Higher phosphates and turbidity

1

(particulates) stimulates and promotes the microbial

growth in drinking water (Miettinen et al., 1997),
thereby leading to increased values of BOD and COD.
0.4071
0.1522

0.6127
0.3593
-0.346
-0.069

-0.171
-0.251

-0.082

This statement also justifies the observed positive correlation

-0.12
TDS

of turbidity-DO (r=0.262, insignificant); COD

-phosphorus (r=0.629, significant), at SSA (Table 6)
and turbidity-BOD (r=0.467, moderately significant),
-0.463

-0.371
0.158
0.304
0.188

0.262
0.026
0.067
0.437
0.109
-0.27
TSS

BOD-phosphorus (r=0.518, moderately significant) at

1

SSC (Table 8). The possible reason may also be the

calcium ions (hardness causing chemical species)
0.803
0.715

0.087
0.057

0.411
0.541
0.009
-0.01

-0.24

-0.13

-0.32
0.07
TS

which provide an environment conducive to growth of

1

micro-organisms (Anonymous, 1999), thereby resulting

in higher values of BOD. Also, at SSA (Table 6) and
0.4117

0.5913
-0.217
-0.272
-0.051
-0.554
-0.666
-0.351

-0.501

-0.026
Temp

0.011
0.315

0.242

SSC (Table 8), turbidity-phosphorus were observed to

1

have an insignificant positive correlation i.e. (r=0.152)

and (r=0.129) respectively. This may be due to the
reason that the suspended particles may be probably of
0.422

0.337

0.262
0.557
0.133
-0.44
-0.06
-0.66
-0.21
-0.44
-0.33
-0.08

-0.28
-0.2
pH
the year 2013-2014.

organic-phosphate origin. A similar insignificant positive

relationship was observed between TSS-phosphorus
(r=0.112) at SSC (Table 8). At SSD and Control site,
Alkalinity
Turbidity

Hardness

BOD-COD (r= 0.6771) (Table 9) and (r= 0.654)

HCO32-

Acidity
Temp

(Table 10) were observed to have a significant positive

COD
BOD
TDS
TSS

DO
pH

TS

correlation. A similar trend of significant positive

K
P
 Tushar Arora et al. / J. Appl. & Nat. Sci. 6 (2): 825 - 843 (2014)
correlation of BOD-COD in groundwater at Perur,
India has also been observed by Usharani et al. (2010).
Similarly, at SSA and SSB pH and bicarbonate were
observed to have positively insignificant (r=0.375)
(Table 6) and significant (r=0.668) (Table 7) relation
respectively. This may probably be due to the fact that
bicarbonate ions bear an alkaline character and thereby
causing a rise in the pH level of water.
However,, the observed values of temperature showed
poor to significant negative correlation with pH and
BOD at different sampling stations like temperature-DO
(r= -0.477) at SSA (Table 6), pH-temperature
(r= -0.27) at SSB (Table 7), pH-temperature (r= -0.551)
at SSC (Table 8) and pH-temperature (r= -0.28) at SSD
(Table 9) and temperature-DO (r= -0.666) at control
site (Table 10). This may possibly due to the fact that
the values of pH and DO had characteristic thermal sensi-
tivity (Carr and Neary, 2008). At SSC, bicarbonate-
acidity (r= -0.833) (Table 8) and at Control site,
hardness-acidity (r= -0.6542) (Table 10) were
observed to have a significant negative correlation
which may be likely due to the reason that acidity and
alkalinity have an inverse relationship as bicarbonates
ions are the major contributor of alkalinity as well as
of hardness (Wilson, 2011).
Conclusion
The industrial establishments at SIDCUL-IE are recent
and the region has considerably deeper water table
depths, therefore the ground water reserves at this IE
are under preliminary phase of influence of surface
activities. The higher assimilation capacity of
pedogenic formations may possibly retain some
contaminants thereof. However, the groundwater at
SSD was observed to be of comparatively impaired
quality with elevated levels of TS, TSS, turbidity,
bicarbonates and alkalinity, while SSA and SSB had
higher organic load. The coefficient of correlation (r)
values showed variations among different physico-
chemical parameters at different sampling stations of
SIDCUL-IE. The parameters like TS-TSS, TSS-
turbidity at SSA, TS-turbidity at SSB and TSS-
turbidity at SSD were significantly and positively inter
-related with each other which may be due to the
presence of higher percentage of suspended particulate
matter. The increased values of BOD and COD may be
due to the fact that higher phosphates, turbidity
(particulates) and calcium ions (hardness causing
chemical species) might stimulate and promote the
microbial growth in drinking water, thereby leading to
increased values of BOD and COD. Also, at SSA and
SSC, turbidity-phosphorus were observed to have an
insignificant positive correlation which may be due to
the reason that the suspended particles may be proba-
bly of organic-phosphate origin. At SSA and SSB
stations, pH and bicarbonates were observed to have
positively insignificant and significant relation
respectively. This may possibly be due to the reason
840
that bicarbonate ions have an alkaline character and
thereby causing a rise in the pH level of water.
In addition, the groundwater samples at SSC were
oxygen-deficient with quite higher amount of dissolved
solids. The control groundwater samples had relatively
higher hardness and phosphorus values which may
possibly be of geogenic in nature. The present
characteristic quality of groundwater indicated that the
general public and industrial workers may rationally
use groundwater for potable use. However, on
persistence of indiscriminate disposal of industrial
effluents and sludges on fallow terrains and open
drainage channels, the groundwater contamination may
gradually build up at regional scale over a period of
5-10 years. The contaminated water in supplies may
result in synergistic reactions in public distribution
system. Further, it may significantly pose serious
threats among the local population in and around the
SIDCUL-IE and Shivalik Nagar. Moreover, it is
recommended that concerned agencies should carry
out periodic monitoring of groundwater quality at
SIDCUL-IE. At the same time, regular assessment of
waste treatment and disposal system must also be
taken care to ensure compliance of the regulatory
guidelines.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors acknowledge Department of Science and
Technology, Government of India for sanctioning the
research project (File no: DST/TM/WTI/2K12/34) and
financial assistance for the reported research.
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